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FOREWORD FROM THE DIRECTOR OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES

Dear Parents

This brochure contains a range of information about your child’s school which will be of

interest to you and your child. It offers an insight into the life and ethos of the school and

also offers advice and assistance which you may find helpful in supporting and getting

involved in your child’s education.

We are committed to working closely with parents as equal partners in your child's

education, in the life of your child's school and in city -wide developments in education.

Parental involvement in the decision making process and in performance monitoring are

now, more than ever, an integral part of school life. We look forward to developing that

partnership with your support.

I am pleased to introduce this brochure for session 2013/14 and hope that it will provide

you with all the relevant information you may need concerning your child’s school. If you

have any queries regarding the contents of the brochure please contact the Head

Teacher of your child’s school in the first instance who will be happy to offer any

clarification you may need.

Gillian Tee,

Director of Children and Families

CHILDREN AND FAMILIES VISION

Our vision is for all children and young people in Edinburgh to enjoy their childhood and

fulfill their potential.

• We believe that children and young people do best when:

• they are able to live safely and happily within their own families with the right kind

of support as needed

• they attend first class, inclusive schools and early years settings which meet their

needs

• We will do all we can to strengthen support for families, schools and communities

to meet their children's needs.

• Our mission is to place children, young people and families at the heart of our

service and provide support when it is needed throughout childhood and the transition

to adulthood.

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WELCOME TO FERRYHILL PRIMARY SCHOOL !

We welcome you to Ferryhill Primary School. Our children are enthusiastic, friendly,

welcoming and very well behaved. Our staff are hard working and very committed to

giving the best for the children in our school. Ferryhill is a great place to be and we’d

welcome you to come along and see this for yourself.

Ferryhill Primary School enjoys fantastic grounds which comprise playground, playing field, orchard, woodlands and 'secret gardens’ ! We currently have 300 pupils in the primary school and we have both a morning and an afternoon nursery class. In addition to classroom spaces we have a library and three separate halls for Physical Education, assemblies and dining. There is a separate computer suite as well as computers in each classroom. We appreciate our working kitchen which cooks great meals fresh on the premises.

The school is well resourced and enjoys good links with the local and wider community. We are located at the centre of the Drylaw community and have good links with the local neighbourhood centre which provides a popular breakfast club. We have good after school provision which also operates during holiday periods. We enjoy a successful partnership with our Parent Council which is open to all parents.

Have a look around our school website where you can find further information and see photographs of us at work. Please contact us if you’d like to arrange a visit. We’d be very pleased to see you.

Stewart D Crabb

Head Teacher

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SCHOOL VISION AND VALUES

“All our children will be successful learners, confident individuals, responsible citizens

and effective contributors to society and at work.”

We will endeavour to create an educational environment of the highest quality which:

• Provides children with the necessary skills for life: Wisdom, Justice, Compassion and Integrity

• Values and respects each individual

• Works in partnership for the good of all

AIMS OF THE SCHOOL

At Ferryhill Primary School we provide a welcoming, happy, caring and stimulating

environment for all pupils, staff and visitors.We aim to:

• Encourage all children to identify and develop their potential through the highest quality of learning and teaching experiences so that they can recognise and fulfill their potential to become successful learners.

• Allow children’s confidence to grow by celebrating their successes, achievements and efforts.

• Ensure equality and inclusion are firmly embedded in the ethos of our school through working in partnership with parents, carers and the wider school community.

• Ensure there is continuous improvement of educational experiences for learners through teaching approaches, which improve in the children’s learning and understanding.

• Promote the physical, social, mental and emotional health and well being of all pupils and staff, parents and the wider community

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PROMOTING POSITIVE BEHAVIOUR

We work together to ensure that pupils and staff experience a positive, safe and secure

environment maximising the potential for effective learning and teaching.

We operate a system of Positive Behaviour where the efforts and achievements of all

pupils are recognised and celebrated as we strive to encourage high standards and

expectations. We find this helps to build up children’s feelings of self worth and makes

them aware of their responsibilities towards others.

Our Behaviour Policy also outlines a set of consequences for children who may be

disrupting learning and teaching in class or presenting with challenges in the

playground. If a child’s behaviour is becoming a concern, we welcome the opportunity

to discuss this with parents and carers at the earliest opportunity.

PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT

Parental involvement is very important as we know it helps children do better in school.

We appreciate the support of parents in our activities in and out of school. Help in the

school and classroom and helping to supervise groups of children on educational visits

are all much welcomed.

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A newsletter is sent generally on a monthly basis to communicate information of

interest to all parents and there are shorter, incidental notices. Letters are sent home

when there is to be an outing, or an arrangement for something like swimming. We

make extensive use of our website www.ferryhill.edin.sch.uk and have begun to use

a Twitter account #FerryhillSchCEC . We also use a text messaging service when

appropriate.

Progress reports are issued once a year in the final term. Parents’ Evenings are held

in November and May. At Parent Evenings parents have the opportunity to discuss

their child’s progress and to appreciate the range and progression of the primary

curriculum. Other aspects of the curriculum are shared with parents at workshop

evenings. Throughout the year, classes present assemblies with drama, music and

song. Parents and family are always warmly welcomed.

We also invite you to contact us at the school if you wish to discuss any matter relating

to your child’s welfare or education. If we have a specific concern we will discuss this

with parents at the earliest opportunity.

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PARENT FORUM AND PARENT COUNCILS

All parents / carers are automatically members of the Parent Forum at their child’s

school. As a member of the Parent Forum all parents can expect to –

• receive information about the school and its activities;

• hear about what partnership with parents means in our school;

• be invited to be involved in ways and times that suit you;

• identify issues you want the parent council, to work on with the school;

• be asked your opinion by the parent council on issues relating to the school and

the education it provides;

• work in partnership with staff; and

• enjoy taking part in the life of the school in whatever way possible.

Parent Councils are the formal representative body for parents / carers with children

attending school. The Parent Forum decides how their representatives on the Parent

Council are chosen and how the Parent Council operates. Parents / carers are

encouraged to volunteer or put themselves forward to be chosen as representatives

of the Parent Council if they wish.

The main aims of the Parent Council are:

• To support the school in its work with pupils

• To represent the views of parents

• To promote contact between the school, parents, pupils, providers of nursery

education and the community

• To report to the Parent Forum

• To be involved in the appointment of senior promoted staff.

• To raise funds for the school for the benefit of pupils.

For more information on parental involvement or to find out about parents as partners

in their children’s learning, please contact the school or visit the Parentzone website

at www.parentzonescotland.gov.uk.

The National Parent Forum of Scotland has been set up to give Parent Councils and

parents an opportunity to discuss and raise educational issues of mutual interest or

concerns at a national level.

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CURRICULUM FOR EXCELLENCE

Curriculum for Excellence has been introduced across Scotland for all 3-18 year olds

– wherever they learn. It aims to raise standards, prepare our children for a future

they do not yet know and equip them for jobs of tomorrow in a fast changing world.

Curriculum for Excellence will be fully implemented by 2016.

Glow, Scotland’s unique, world leading, online network supports learners and teachers

and plans are already in place for parents across the country to have access to Glow.

Parents should ask the school how to arrange access to Glow and a user name and

password can be issued.

Teachers and practitioners share information to plan a child’s ‘learning journey’ from

3-18, helping their progression from nursery to primary, primary to secondary and

beyond, ensuring each transition is smooth. They ensure children continue to work at

a pace they can cope with and with challenge they can thrive on.

Curriculum for Excellence balances the importance of knowledge and skills. Every

child is entitled to a broad and deep general education, whatever their level and ability.

Every single teacher and practitioner will be responsible for the development of literacy

and numeracy from Early Level through to Senior Phase.

It develops skills for learning, life and work, bringing real life into the classroom, making

learning relevant and helping young people apply lessons to their life beyond the

classroom. It links knowledge in one subject area to another helping make connections

in their learning. It develops skills which can enable children to think for themselves,

make sound judgements, challenge, enquire and find solutions.

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There will be new ways of assessing progress and ensuring children achieve their

potential. There will be new qualifications for literacy and numeracy from 2012/13. New

qualifications at National 4 and 5 will be available from 2013/14. Our well regarded

Access, Highers and Advanced Highers will be updated to take account of and support

the new approaches to learning and teaching.

There is an entitlement to personal support to help young people fulfil their potential

and make the most of their opportunities with additional support wherever that’s

needed. There will be a new emphasis by all staff on looking after our children’s health

and wellbeing – to ensure that the school is a place where children feel safe and

secure.

Ultimately, Curriculum for Excellence aims to improve our children’s life chances, to

nurture successful learners, confident individuals, effective contributors, and

responsible citizens, building on Scotland’s reputation for great education.

EDUCATIONAL VISITS

The active exploration of the environment means that some of the child’s education

takes place outside the classroom, outside the school. We provide children with the

benefit of visits to historical buildings, theatres, art galleries, museums, places of work,

the zoo, etc. These visits are planned to enrich the curriculum and are as important as

work done in the classroom.

Primary 3 and 5 children receive a course of swimming instruction at Craigroyston

High School. Classes may also make use of the facilities at Meadowbank Sports

Centre and at Broughton High School.

Our P7 pupils are offered the opportunity to take part in a residential excursion at an

outdoor centre.

PLANNING CHILDREN’S AND YOUNG PEOPLE’S LEARNING

Teachers in nursery, primary and secondary schools share their learning intentions

with pupils, parents and carers. This takes place on a day-to-day basis, by agreeing

the aims of an individual piece of work. Longer-term planning also takes place in a

variety of forms.

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ACTIVE LEARNING

Curriculum for Excellence emphasises the value of an active learning approach. In the

early years, children will have a range of learning experiences that include planned

and purposeful play and stimulating learning which engages and challenges children’s

thinking using real life and imaginary situations. As children progress through school

they continue to be involved in active learning experiences which are engaging and

give them ownership of their own learning.

HOMEWORK

Pupils are regularly given homework to support their learning and to encourage them

to become more organised and self-supporting in their learning. Homework tasks will

be given where a teacher feels a particular child or group of children may benefit from

it.

The homework will be organised according to the stage and ability of the child, it can

arise from all curricular areas, and it may include written, oral or practical activities.

The tasks set will be interesting, worthwhile and challenging for the child.

Parents are encouraged to help pupils with their homework as a means of keeping

them up to date with the work of the class and the child’s progress and to promote

partnership between the school and parents. Homework provides an opportunity to

consolidate what has been learned in class, and makes you aware of what your child

is learning and provides you with a useful discussion starter. Homework is also an

integral part of school work. Parental interest and co-operation in ensuring homework

is undertaken is appreciated.

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ASSESSMENT

As pupils progress through our school, teachers use a range of assessment strategies,

including Assessment for Learning strategies as well as setting tests. Pupils are also

involved in assessing their own progress and developing their next steps.

We recognise that all pupils do not develop and progress at the same rate and,

therefore, we use both group and individual methods to ensure that all pupils are given

appropriate instruction and the opportunity to succeed. Please contact the school as

soon as possible if you have any concerns about your child’s progress.

RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION AND OBSERVANCE

Parents who wish to exercise their right to withdraw their child from religious instruction

and / or observance should contact the head teacher, in writing, and alternative

arrangements will be made for your child.

EXTRA CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

We offer a wide a range of sporting and cultural activities as possible. There is a range

of extra curricular activities available for pupils during lunchtime and after school.

Parents will be informed about these by the school. In addition to in-school activities,

classes also make regular educational visits and field studies. These visits are linked

to pupils’ class work.

ACTIVE SCHOOLS

The Active Schools Edinburgh programme is a joint initiative between City of Edinburgh Council and Sportscotland as part of 'Healthier Scotland’. The fundamental aim of Active Schools is to give school-aged children the tools, motivation and the opportunities to be more active throughout their school years and into adulthood. These opportunities are available before, during and after school, as well as in the wider community. Active Schools work To strengthen pathways to participation and performance through sustainable school to community links. For further information contact the Active Schools Coordinator through the school.

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GETTING IT RIGHT FOR EVERY CHILD

Taking care of our children's well-being and making sure they are alright - even before

they are born - helps us ensure the most positive outcomes for them later in life. It

gives them the potential to grow up ready to succeed and play their part in society.

Our school adopts the Getting it right for every child in Edinburgh approach to give

the right help to children, young people and families, when they need it from a joined

up multi agency team.

Getting it right for every child aims to improve outcomes for all children and young

people. It promotes a shared approach that:

• builds solutions with and around children and families

• enables children to get the help they need when they need it

• supports a positive shift in culture, systems and practice

• involves working together to make things better.

Getting it right for every child is the foundation for work with all children and young

people, including adult services where parents are involved. It builds on universal

health and education services, and is embedded in the developing early years and

youth frameworks. Developments in the universal services of health and education,

such as Better Health Better Care and Curriculum for Excellence, are identifying what

needs to be done in those particular areas to improve outcomes for children.

PROTECTING CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE

We place a high priority on the well-being and safety of our pupils. To this end we have

in place a personal safety programme to give pupils knowledge and life skills to keep

them safe from all form of abuse. Where we have concerns that a child about the

possible abuse of pupils we are required to follow the Edinburgh and the Lothian’s

Inter-Agency Child Protection Procedures which set out the specific duties and

responsibilities towards the child and their parents/carers.

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ADDITIONAL SUPPORT NEEDS

An additional suport need comes from anything which is a barrier to learning. Most or

all schools will have some children with additional support needs of some kind. The

education authority has many legal duties towards pupils with additional support

needs. Information about this is contained in a booklet called In On The Act: Guide

For The General Public which is published on the education authority website

at www.edinburgh.gov.uk/inontheact - or contact the additional support for learning

team on telephone number 469 3444.

As with all local authority schools in Scotland, this school operates under the terms of

the Additional Support for Learning Act (2009) and its accompanying Code of Practice.

Further details of the policies and procedures can be found on Edinburgh Council

website at www.edinburgh.gov.uk/InOnTheAct . In on the Act - Supporting children

and young people with additional support needs provides the following information

specified by the Education (additional Support for Learning) (Scotland) Act 2009 which

includes –

(a) the authority’s policy in relation to provision for additional support needs,

(b) the arrangements made by the authority in making appropriate arrangement for

keeping under consideration the additional support needs of each such child and

young person and the particular additional support needs of the children and young

persons so identified.

c) the other opportunities available under this Act for the identification of children and

young persons who -

a) have additional support needs,

b) require, or would require, a co-ordinated support plan,

c) the role of parents, children and young persons in the arrangements referred to in

paragraph (b),

d) the mediation services provided

e) the officer or officers of the authority from whom parents of children having

additional support needs, and young persons having such needs, can obtain advice

and further information about provision for such needs.

We work with other agencies and professionals – for example, Social Work Services,

Educational Psychology Service, National Health Service and you the parent to make

decisions with regards to the best possible education to meet the needs of your child

within the resources available.

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Parents, carers and children with additional support needs can also seek independent

advice and support through:

• Enquire: www.enquire.org.uk, 0845 123 2303

• Scottish Independent Advocacy Alliance, www.siaa.org.uk, 0131 260 5380

• Take Note: National Advocacy Service for Additional Support Needs (Barnados

in association with the Scottish Child Law Centre) www.sclc.org.uk, 0131 667

6633.

NURSERY CLASS PROVISION

The school's nursery class provides morning and afternoon places for children aged 3

- 5 years. Nursery class provision is non-denominational. This means that all nurseries

are open to children and parents of all religions and beliefs. Placement in the nursery

class does not guarantee a place in the primary school.

TRANSFER FROM NURSERY TO PRIMARY

Before leaving nursery, a transfer of information record for each child will be prepared

by nursery staff to ensure a smooth transition and continuity of education for the child

transferring to primary.

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PRIMARY SCHOOL ADMISSIONS

Starting school is a very important milestone both for children and their parents. The

vast majority of our parents choose their local, catchment school and we plan our

education provision to ensure we can provide places for new pupils at their catchment

school.

In the run-up to November's registration week for the new Primary 1 intake each school

will offer an opportunity for you to visit them. You can speak to staff to find out more

about the school first-hand. You can see how the school runs; discuss the curriculum

and their priorities as well as seeing recent examples of pupils' work on display. In

many cases you may also have the chance to meet other parents who already have

children there. All of this will help you understand the school's unique character and

give you an insight into the learning environment that your child could enjoy there.

PRIMARY TO SECONDARY TRANSFER

Visits to our local secondary school are organised before the summer holidays and

children from other catchment schools who will be attending the same secondary

school will have the opportunity to meet and get to know each other and their teachers.

While the children are participating in classroom activities and meeting their class

teacher, parents will have an opportunity to view the school and are given a brief

explanation of school life.

If you wish your child to attend a secondary school other than the catchment

denominational or non-denominational secondary school for your home address, you

will be required to make a Placing Request as detailed in the Placing Request section

below.

You do not need to submit a Placing Request if you want your child to transfer from a

non-denominational secondary school or vice-versa at the primary to secondary

transfer stage, as long as the intended secondary school is still the catchment school

for your home address. Parents of children who are planning to change from

denominational to non-denominational or vice-versa between primary and secondary

school should ensure that both the primary school and the intended secondary school

know what is to happen.

CATCHMENT SECONDARY SCHOOL

We are a member of the Broughton High School cluster group and most of our pupils

will transfer to Broughton High School when they leave Primary 7.

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Broughton High School

29 East Fettes Avenue

Edinburgh

EH4 1EG

Telephone 0131-332-7805

PLACING REQUESTS

As a parent, you have the right to make a Placing Request for your child(ren) to be

educated in a school other than the local school. If you would prefer that your child

start P1 or S1 at another school instead of one of the catchment schools, you have to

make a placing request. You can get an application form at any nursery or primary

school in the city from mid November. Forms must be returned to: Grants, Awards

and Placements, The City of Edinburgh Council, Level 1.1 Waverley Court, 4 East

Market Street, Edinburgh, EH8 8BG by 24 December. If you apply for a place after this

date, your request will be considered but if you apply after 15 March places in your

chosen school may no longer be available.

All parents have the right to make a request for a place for their child in another school.

The Council must grant these requests where possible. When there are more places

available in a school than there are placing requests for that school, then all the

requests are usually granted. If the school you specify has more requests than

available places, then each case is examined individually. Whatever you write on your

application form is taken into account, so it is important that you include relevant details

on the form.

In recent years, as the primary school rolls have increased there has been a decrease

in the number of places available for children living outside the catchment area and

this has resulted in high numbers of placing request being refused. You should also

note that a successful Placing Request for one child does not guarantee a successful

one for another child. It may be, therefore, that a parent could end up with children at

different schools. All children must also be enrolled at the catchment area school on

the appropriate Enrolment Form whilst awaiting the outcome of their Placing Request

Application.

If a Placing Request is successful, parents will be responsible for the safety and

transportation costs of their child to and from their chosen school.

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ATTENDANCE AND ABSENCE

It is the responsibility of parents of a child to make sure that their child is educated.

Absence from school is recorded as authorised, approved by the children and families

department, or as unauthorised, unexplained by the parent (truancy).

Please let the school know by letter or phone if your child is likely to be absent for

some time, and give your child a note on his or her return to school, confirming the

reason for absence. If there is no explanation from a child’s parents, the absence will

be regarded as unauthorised.

Please make every effort to avoid family holidays during term time as this will disrupt

your child’s education and reduces learning time. We can approve absence from

school for a family holiday in certain extreme situations, for example, in traumatic

domestic circumstances where the holiday would improve the cohesion and wellbeing

of the family. If we cannot give permission before the holiday, it will be recorded as

unauthorised absence. We can authorise a holiday if you can prove that work

commitments make a family holiday impossible during school holiday times. Normally,

your employer will need to provide evidence of your work commitments. Absence

approved on this basis is regarded as authorised absence.

Any requests for extended absence over two weeks will be referred to Children and

Families who will decide if it will be recorded as authorised or unauthorised leave.

Parents from minority ethnic religious communities may request that their children be

permitted to be absent from school to celebrate recognised religious events. Absence

approved on this basis is regarded as authorised absence. Extended leave can also

be granted on request for families returning to their country of origin for cultural or care

reasons.

A supportive approach is taken to unexplained absence. However the children and

families department has legal powers to write to, interview or prosecute parents, or

refer pupils to the Reporter to the Children’s Panel, if necessary.

SCHOOL UNIFORM

Parents are asked to co-operate with the school in encouraging the wearing of the

school uniform. Wearing school uniform contributes to a positive school ethos and

helps avoid discrimination and reduces peer pressure to wear expensive designer

clothing. A school’s reputation can also be enhanced in the local community by the

wearing of school uniform. Our school uniform is as follows:

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• Navy, (preferably school) sweatshirt

• White or red polo shirt OR o White shirt or blouse with school tie

• Black, grey or navy trousers or black, grey or navy plain joggers

• Black shoes or trainers

Primary 7 children are given a special honour as they wear a red P7 sweatshirt.

In the interests of hygiene and safety, children should change for P.E. We expect

children to wear black or navy shorts, white tee-shirt and gym shoes. We are very

lucky to have extensive grass grounds at Ferryhill and we aim to use this as much as

possible. You may also wish to consider sending a pair of outdoor gym shoes for those

occasions when we make it onto the grass. Alternatively, children can wear their

outdoor shoes for P.E. outdoors.

Please ensure that all items of clothing are clearly labelled, particularly ties, sweat

shirts and PE equipment which can easily be lost. Please help us by ensuring that

pupils do not bring valuable or expensive items of clothing to school. Offensive clothing

such as T-shirts or other items painted with obscene language or illustrations are not

permitted. Football colours are also inappropriate as they can lead to incidents of

rivalry.

FOOTWEAR AND CLOTHING GRANTS

Grants for footwear and clothing for children are available to parents receiving:

• Child Tax Credit, but not working tax credit, with an annual income of less than

£15,860

• income support

• jobseekers allowance - income-based

• support under Par V1of the Immigration & Asylum Act 1999

• Income related element of Employment and Support Allowance

Information on free school meals and clothing grants is available on the

www.edinburgh.gov.uk website. Applications for free school meals and clothing grants

can be made by contacting Grants, Awards and Placements, Business Centre 1:1

Waverley Court, 4 East Market Street, Edinburgh, EH8 8BG.

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SCHOOL MEALS

For their midday meal children can: go home for lunch; have a school lunch; or bring a packed lunch.The school lunch service offers a standard and a vegetarian choice each day. A packed lunch is offered to children in P3-7 as a third choice. Children who bring a packed lunch share the same lunch tables as those having a school meal. Children are supervised in the lunch hall by dining room supervisors.

Menus offer healthy and tasty meal options while reflecting the Scottish Government

food and drink legal requirements for school lunches. Special diets and allergies are

usually accommodated subject to consultation with parent/guardian and catering

services. Parents should inform the school if their child is a vegetarian or if their child

requires any special diet.

Meal prices are reviewed annually. Please contact the School to be advised of the

current price. Some families may be eligible for free school meals. Application forms

are available from the school office. The forms have to be completed by the parent

along with supporting documentation as detailed on the application form. An

application is required for every school session.

SUPERVISION

Before school begins supervision is very limited, therefore pupils should not arrive at

school until as near to the school start time as possible. During intervals, staff

supervise the children. There is always access to the building and the children are

made aware of this.

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SCHOOL SECURITY

The safety and security of pupils and staff when attending or working in a school is

very important to us. We use a number of security measures including a visitors’ book,

badges and escorts, while visitors are within the school building. Anyone calling at a

school for any reason will be asked to report to the school office. The school staff then

can make the necessary arrangements for the visit.

WET WEATHER ARRANGEMENTS

In wet weather, provided we have staff supervision, we will open the doors to the

school at 8.40 am. In wet weather please do not send children to school earlier than

this time. Children having school lunches may remain in school during wet weather.

Children who go home for lunch should return as late in the lunchtime as possible

UNEXPECTED CLOSURES

In the event of an emergency, such as a power cut or severe weather, preventing

schools from opening in the morning or results in an early closure a range of

communications channels are used to let parents know. Announcements are made on

Radio Forth (Forth 1 and Forth 2) and via the Council's corporate Twitter account

www.twitter.com/Edinburgh_CC or Facebook www.facebook.com/edinburghcouncil.

If many schools are affected, or the situation is likely to be prolonged, then the

Council's website www.edinburgh.gov.uk will also be used.

Please see the appendicces for our school closure procedures. The school will make

every effort to use technology such as the school website www.ferryhill.edin.sch.uk ,

our Twitter account FerryhillSchCEC. We would make use of the text messaging

service if staff were in school to operate this. Please therefore keep us informed of any

change to your telephone numbers. Please note that in emergency situations

technology may not always deliver but we will make every effort to make use of all

possible sources. If pupils have already arrived at school we will follow the procedure

for the school being forced to close during the day.

MOBILE PHONES

The benefits of mobile phones are recognised. Many young people and their parents

regard them as an essential means of communication. Mobile phones can continue to

be brought into schools however please see appendices for our policy on pupil use of

mobile phones.

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EQUALITY

The City of Edinburgh Council has published an Equality Scheme, which can be

viewed on the council’s website. This outlines the duties which the Council is required

to undertake to tackle discrimination, prevent harassment and ensure our work

promotes equality. The Council is committed to eliminating discrimination on the

grounds of race, gender, disability, sexual orientation, religion/belief, age, marriage or

civil partnership, transgender status or pregnancy/maternity.

EQUALITIES AND ANTI BULLYING POLICY

All pupils and staff have the right to feel happy, safe and included. Our shared values

of mutual respect between staff and pupils, and high expectations of success within a

caring and supportive environment, form the basis of our positive school ethos.

We are committed to equality of opportunity for all and we work actively towards

eliminating all forms of bullying and discrimination.

We recognise the effects that bullying and discrimination can have on pupils’ feelings

of worth, on their achievements at school and in the community. We recognise that

certain individuals and groups in society experience disadvantage, prejudice or

discrimination, and we aim to actively foster good relations between diverse groups

and individuals. All parents and carers are welcomed and respected in school and are

encouraged to participate as fully as possible. Interpreters and translated materials

are available to assist parents for whom English is an Additional Language.

We recognise that certain individuals and groups in society experience disadvantage,

prejudice or discrimination on account of their age, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender

change, looked-after status, pregnancy or maternity, religion or belief, sexual

orientation and socio economic status or any combination of these. Each person in

school will be given fair and equal opportunities to develop their full potential.

Pupils in the school will be prepared for life in a multicultural society and will be assisted in appreciating the benefits of diversity.

ENGLISH AS AN ADDITIONAL LANGUAGE

The Children & Families Department provides a support service of teachers of English

as an additional language. The teachers visit schools to work with those bilingual

pupils who require assistance in developing English language skills.

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COMPLAINTS, COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS PROCEDURE

We hope that you will be completely satisfied about your child's education and we

encourage feedback on our services from parents and pupils. We are, therefore,

interested in feedback of all kinds, whether it be compliments, suggestions or

complaints.

If you want to register a comment of any type about our school you can do this by

writing, e-mailing, telephoning or making an appointment to see someone. All

feedback is welcome and keeps us in touch.

If, in particular, you have a complaint about the school, please let us know. It is better

that these things are shared openly and resolved fairly, rather than being allowed to

damage the relationship between the family and the school. There will be no negative

consequences arising from making a complaint and we will deal with the issue as

confidentially as possible.

There are some things which you should take note of in relation to making a complaint:

Please make any complaints initially to the Headteacher. This makes sure that the

school knows what is going on and has an opportunity to respond and resolve the

issue. We will try to respond as quickly as possible, but often issues are complex and

we need time to investigate.

If you are still unhappy with the service or with our response then you will have the

right to take the matter further and contact Advice and Conciliation 0131 469 3233.

If you are still unhappy after the further investigation and reply you can take the matter

up with the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman, our reply will include the contact

details.

HEALTH AND SAFETY

"Within the general policy laid down by The City of Edinburgh Council, the Children &

Families Department has prepared and has continuing development of, safety policy

statements for all areas of its responsibility in accordance with the Health and Safety

at Work Act 1974. School staff are fully instructed in their responsibilities in this

respect, and safety regulations apply to all aspects of school life, both on and off the

premises. It is expected that pupils will behave responsibly and comply with all safety

requirements. The support of parents/carers in promoting good practice in health and

safety matters is of great importance to the school".

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SCHOOL HEALTH SERVICE

A team of specialist Health Service and Children and Families Department staff work

together to provide a service throughout your child’s years at primary and secondary

school. A planned programme is put into place to make sure that they benefit as much

as possible from all that school has to offer, and to help prepare for life after leaving

school. The School Health Service is part of the Community Child Health Service and

has direct links with those who carry out health checks on children before they start

school.

Many different services are provided. The staff involved make every effort to work

closely with parents/carers and with others who are caring for your child, both at school

and in other branches of the Health Service. Some of the services, e.g. testing for

vision, hearing or speech, are provided to all children on a routine basis to discover

which children may need further tests or Parents/carers are not necessarily notified at

the time of these screening tests and any parent who does not want a child to be

included should notify the school at the beginning of the session. Naturally, if treatment

is thought to be required the child’s parents/carers will be informed and consent

requested. The issue of maintaining confidentiality is taken seriously by the School

Health Team at all times.

School Nurses are involved with health promotion and education, prevention of ill

health, immunisation, health surveillance and screening. The School Doctor is made

aware of any possible problems and parents/carers and the family doctor are informed

if any further action is considered necessary.

The School Nurse may be helped by a Health Assistant. The School Nurse acts as an

important link between home and school. She visits the school and liaises with the

teachers to find out whether any pupil has a health need that requires to be addressed.

The School Nurse can link with other members of the health team, in the community

or in hospital, concerned with a child’s health. The School Nurse reviews the notes of

all children in Primary 1, 4, 7 and Senior 3 as well as those of all new entrants.

An information booklet about the School Health Service is issued to all Primary 1 pupils

and any new pupils coming from outwith the Edinburgh area.

Parents/carers are also asked to complete a health questionnaire about their child at

Primary 1, 7 and Senior 3 and asked if they would like their child to have a medical

consultation with the School Doctor.

The School Doctor may ask for your consent to examine your child if his/her medical

records are incomplete or if the doctor particularly wishes to check on his/her progress.

You will be invited to be present at any medical examination and kept informed if the

School Doctor wishes to see your child again, or thinks that he/she should be seen by

the family doctor or a specialist in paediatrics. You can, if you wish, arrange for your

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family doctor to undertake the examinations instead of the School Doctor, but you may

be charged a fee for this. In secondary schools the School Doctor may consider

whether any special information should be provided for the Careers Service.

The School Doctor or Nurse will be pleased to see you and your child at a mutually

convenient time if you are concerned about his/her health or general progress at

school.

With your consent, the School Health Service Staff also carry out immunisations to

protect against various diseases.

The Audiometric Team normally checks children’s hearing on a number of occasions

before the age of 13/14 years. The School Health Team will be told if your child seems

to have a hearing problem and they will inform parents/carers and GPs as necessary.

The Speech and Language Therapist can provide assessment and, if necessary,

treatment if you, a teacher or the School Doctor feels that your child may have a

speech or language problem.

Any enquiries concerning the provision of dental services should be made to: The

Director of the Community Dental Service, 16 Duncan Street, Edinburgh, EH9 1SR

(Tel. 0131 667-7114).

We hope that the School Health Service can, together with yourselves, contribute to

your child’s overall well-being and development. Please do not hesitate to arrange

through the Head Teacher to see the School Doctor or School Nurse should you

require any further information".

HEAD LICE

Head lice are spread through head to head contact at home, while playing or in school.

Regular wet combing of your child’s hair using a head lice detection comb is the best

way to catch this possible problem at an early stage.

The only way to be sure that your child has head lice is to find a live louse. If you find

live lice, get the correct lotion from your doctor, health visitor or pharmacist. Shampoos

and other treatments are not effective. One treatment is two applications of the

treatment lotion, seven days apart. If this is not followed then re-infection is likely.

Advise family members and close friends that your child has head lice and that they

should check their own hair. Only treat if live lice are found. Don’t be shy about advising

others of this possible problem because you would likely tell family and friends about

other infections which might affect them.

Regular wet combing of your child’s hair with the head lice detector comb is the best

protection as it allows you to detect the condition and treat it speedily.

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ILLNESS OR ACCIDENT AT SCHOOL

If your child becomes unwell during the school day he or she will be made comfortable

until we determine whether it is necessary to contact you. In the case of an accident

requiring medical attention, we will telephone you or the emergency contact. It is

therefore very important that you keep us informed of your home and work numbers

and emergency contact information.

If you wish to send your child to school with medicine it is necessary for you to provide

instructions as to how the medicine should be taken. A form for this purpose is

available from the school office.

GAELIC EDUCATION

Gaelic-medium education, where pupils are taught the entire curriculum through the

medium of Gaelic, is available at nursery and primary levels. There are Gaelic parent

and toddler groups and playgroups across the city.

Edinburgh’s first dedicated Gaelic nursery and primary school will be opening in the

former Bonnington Primary School Building August 2013. Those children currently

attending the Gaelic-medium unit, based in Tollcross Primary School, will transfer to

the new school and the new P1 intake for 2013 will start at the new school. Pupils

attending the school do not need to have prior knowledge of Gaelic. If you wish your

child to attend the new Gaelic School from August 2013, you should register them at

the existing Gaelic-medium unit at Tollcross Primary School. Pupils who wish to study

Gaelic at secondary level can transfer to James Gillespie’s High School which offers

Standard Grade and Higher courses.

TRANSFERRING EDUCATIONAL DATA ABOUT PUPILS

Education authorities and the Scottish Government collected data about pupils on

paper forms for many years. We now work together with schools to transfer data

electronically through the ScotXed programme. Thus the Scottish Government has

two functions: acting as a ‘hub’ for supporting data exchange within the education

system in Scotland and the analysis of data for statistical purposes within the Scottish

Government itself.

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WHAT PUPIL DATA IS COLLECTED AND TRANSFERRED?

Data on each pupil is collected by schools, local authorities and the Scottish

Government. The data collected and transferred covers areas such as date of birth,

Scottish Candidate Number (SCN), postcode, registration for free-school meals,

whether a pupil is looked after by his/her local authority, additional support needs

including disability and English as an Additional Language (EAL), and attendance,

absence and exclusions from school. The SCN acts as the unique pupil identifier.

Pupil names and addresses are not passed to the Scottish Government. Your

postcode is the only part of your address that is transferred for statistical purposes,

and postcodes are grouped to identify ‘localities’ rather than specific addresses. Data

is held securely and no information on individual pupils can or would be published by

the Scottish Government.

Providing national identity and ethnic background data is entirely voluntary. You can

choose the ‘not disclosed’ option if you do not want to provide this data. However, we

hope that the explanations contained in this message and on the ScotXed website will

help you understand the importance of providing the data.

WHY DO WE NEED YOUR DATA?

In order to make the best decisions about how to improve our education service, the

Scottish Government, education authorities and other partners such as the Scottish

Qualifications Authority and Skills Development Scotland need accurate, up-to-date

data about our pupils. We are keen to help all our pupils do well in all aspects of

school life and achieve better examination results. Accurate and up-to-date data

allows us to:

• plan and deliver better policies for the benefit of all pupils

• plan and deliver better policies for the benefit of specific groups of pupils

• better understand some of the factors which influence pupil attainment and

achievement

• share good practice

• target resources better.

YOUR DATA PROTECTION RIGHTS

The collection, transfer, processing and sharing of ScotXed data is done in accordance

with the Data Protection Act (1998). We also comply with the National Statistics Code

of Practice requirements and other legislation related to safeguarding the

confidentiality of data. The Data Protection Act gives you the right to know how we will

use your data. This message can give only a brief description of how we use data.

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Fuller details of the use of pupil data can be found on the ScotXed website

(www.scotxed.net).

The Scottish Government works with a range of partners including Education Scotland

and the SQA. On occasion, we will make individual data available to partners and also

academic institutions to carry out research and statistical analysis. In addition, we will

provide our partners with information they need in order to fulfil their official

responsibilities. Any sharing of data will be done under the strict control of the Scottish

Government, which will ensure that no individual level data will be made public as a

result of the data sharing and that these data will not be used to take any actions in

respect of an individual. Decisions on the sharing of data will be taken in consultation

with colleagues within and outwith the Scottish Government.

CONCERNS

If you have any concerns about the ScotXed data collections you can email the Senior

Statistician, scotxed@scotland.gsi.gov.uk or write to The ScotXed Support Office,

Area 1B, Victoria Quay, Leith, EH6 6QQ. Alternative versions of this page are

available, on request from the ScotXed Support Office, in other languages, audio tape,

braille and large print.

SCHOOL HANDBOOK INFORMATION

The information in this school handbook is considered to be correct at the time of

publication (Dec 2012), however, it is possible that there may be some inaccuracy by

the start of the school term in August 2013.

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USEFUL WEBSITES

www.edinburgh.gov.uk- contains information for parents on Edinburgh schools.

http://www.parentzonescotland.gov.uk- parents can find out about everything from

school term dates to exam results. This site also offers information for pre-5 and

post school. It also lists relevant publications for parents and provides hyper-links to

other useful organisations.

www.hmie.gov.uk - parents can access school and local authority inspection reports

and find out more about the work of Education Scotland.

http://www.scottishschoolsonline.gov.uk - parents can find out about individual

schools. They can choose a school and select what type of information they need

such as Education Scotland reports, exam results, stay on rates and free school

meal entitlement.

http://www.childline.org.uk/Explore/Bullying/Pages/Bullyinginfo.aspx - contains

information for parents and children on varying forms of bullying and provides help

for parents and children who are affected by bullying.

http://www.respectme.org.uk/ - Scotland’s anti-bullying service. Contains information

for parents and children on varying forms of bullying and provides help for parents

and children who are affected by bullying

http://www.educationscotland.org.uk/ - provides information and advice for parents

as well as support and resources for education in Scotland

http://www.equalityhumanrights.com/ - information for everyone on equality laws

within the government and local authorities.

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